Concrete Pump Water Box Level Sensor

Abstract

An apparatus and method for preventing undue wear on a concrete pump relies upon monitoring a volume of water in a water box for cooling and lubricating pumping seals on a material pumping piston within a material pumping cylinder. The apparatus includes a water level sensor to generate signals corresponding to a water level in the water box. The signals are received at a computing device including a central processing unit (CPU) to apply an algorithm drawn from the memory to determine whether the water level in the water box is sufficient for operation of the concrete pump and if not sufficient, to generate a water level alert. The CPU sends a water-level alert and in response to the alert, to execute a pump-preserving action. Such a pump-preserving action may include sounding a klaxon alarm; displaying an alert; playing a recorded warning; and shutting down operation of the concrete pump.

1 . An apparatus for preventing undue wear on a concrete pump relying upon a volume of water in a water box for cooling and lubricating pumping seals on a material pumping piston within a material pumping cylinder, the apparatus comprising:
 a water level sensor to generate signals corresponding to a water level in the water box;   a computing device comprising a memory and a central processing unit (CPU) configured to receive a generated signal from the water level sensor and to apply an algorithm drawn from the memory to determine whether the water level in the water box is sufficient for operation of the concrete pump and if not sufficient, to generate a water level alert;   an interface to receive a water level alert from the CPU and in response to the alert, to execute a pump-preserving action.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pump-preserving action is an action selected from a pump preserving action group consisting of:
 sounding a klaxon alarm; 
 displaying an alert on a display screen; 
 playing a recorded warning to an operator; and 
 shutting down operation of the concrete pump. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the water level sensor is selected from a water level sensor group, the water level sensor group consisting of:
 a guided wave radar sensor; 
 a capacitance level sensor; 
 an ultrasonic level sensor; 
 a float switch; 
 an optical level switch; 
 electric impedance spectroscopy sensor; and 
 a capacitive continuous level sensor. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the water level sensor is selected from a mode group, the mode group consisting of:
 a point level sensor; and 
 a continuous level sensor. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device is a programmable logic controller. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device comprises:
 a processor unit (CPU) which interprets inputs, executes the control program stored in memory and sends output signals;   a memory unit storing data from inputs and program to be executed by the CPU;   an input and output interface, where the CPU receives and sends data from/to external devices;   a communications interface to receive and transmit data on communication networks.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a three-axis accelerometer:
 the three-axis accelerometer to generate a signal to represent vibration of the water box in the concrete pump; and   the CPU to define intervals based upon the signal received from the accelerometer to accept or to reject signals received from the water level sensor.   
     
     
         8 . A method for operation of a concrete pump based upon a sensed water level in a water box the concrete pump includes, the method comprising:
 providing a water level sensor to generate signals corresponding to a water level in the water box;   sensing the water level in the water box;   generating a signal based upon the sensed water level in the water box;   receiving the signals the water level sensor generates at a computing device comprising a memory and a central processing unit (CPU) configured to receive a generated signal from the water level sensor;   applying an algorithm drawn from the memory to determine whether the water level in the water box is sufficient for operation of the concrete pump and if not sufficient, to generate a water level alert;   in response to a water level alert; to execute a pump-preserving action.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the pump-preserving action is an action selected from a pump preserving action group consisting of:
 sounding a klaxon alarm;   displaying an alert on a display screen;   playing a recorded warning to an operator; and   shutting down operation of the concrete pump.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the water level sensor is selected from a water level sensor group, the water level sensor group consisting of:
 a guided wave radar sensor;   a capacitance level sensor;   an ultrasonic level sensor;   a float switch;   an optical level switch;   electric impedance spectroscopy sensor; and   a capacitive continuous level sensor.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the water level sensor is selected from a mode group, the mode group consisting of:
 a point level sensor; and   a continuous level sensor.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the wherein the computing device is a programmable logic controller. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , the computing device comprises:
 a processor unit (CPU) which interprets inputs, executes the control program stored in memory and sends output signals;   a memory unit storing data from inputs and program to be executed by the CPU;   an input and output interface, where the CPU receives and sends data from/to external devices;   a communications interface to receive and transmit data on communication networks.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein generating a signal based upon the sensed water level in the water box further comprises:
 sensing vibration of the water box in the concrete pump at a three-axis accelerometer to generate a signal to represent; and   receiving the signal the three-axis accelerometer generates at the CPU;   accepting or rejecting signals at the CPU, such signals received from the water level sensor based upon the signal received from the accelerometer.